Surgery gave me a new lease of life

Patients who suffer heart attacks at night will now be given surgery whatever time they arrive in hospital.

A new 24/7 theatre and on-call system at the angioplasty department at Reading's Royal Berkshire Hospital have been set up to give heart attack patients surgery as soon as possible.

Staff will be called into the hospital at any time of the day or night to perform a coronary stent procedure on patients who are suffering a clot to the heart.

Since the system was installed on April 4, the team has already treated four patients out of hours.

Martin Wood, of Naseby, Hanworth, was rushed to hospital in February suffering from what he thought was heartburn.

The 44-year-old said: “When I got there, they told me I was suffering the classic symptoms of a heart attack and within 10 minutes I was in the back of an ambulance on the way to the hospital.

“I was straight into theatre. I couldn’t really feel it but I was awake. They were so quick and efficient and I am relieved for everyone else that this speedy service is now 24 hours.”Martin said he has since changed his ways: “I am a lorry driver who likes all food that is bad and at the time was smoking 20 cigarettes a day.

“I had a massive wake-up call and have stopped smoking completely and changed my diet. I feel great now and I think it goes to show the importance of a 24-hour hospital.”

Previously, patients admitted out of office hours would be given anti-clotting drugs until the operation could be performed.

Consultant cardiologist Charlie McKenna recognised the need for patients to be seen within the two-hour target.

He said: “Before the 24-hour system, patients admitted overnight would have had to wait but it is now recognised that [being treated] within two to three hours from the onset of the attack improves the rate of recovery and the survival of the patient.”

A team of four will be called in when the ambulance service confirm a heart attack so they are ready when the patient arrives.

The system means each member of staff in the department will be on-call at least twice a week but Mr McKenna says it is best for the wellbeing of the patient.

He said: “I am very grateful to all members of staff who have made this possible.”